UNC Football: 2023 Projected Preseason Depth Chart- Offense

What will the UNC football program’s offensive depth chart look like as the team begins training camp for the upcoming 2023 season?

Training camp will officially kick off for Mack Brown and the UNC football program this week as we inch even closer to the start of the 2023 college football season.

As the Tar Heels begin official practices, what will their offensive depth chart look like? Of course, a lot can change before opening kickoff, but here’s an early projection of how the depth chart currently sits:

Quarterback

Starter: Drake Maye
Backup: Connor Harrell

After competing with Jacolby Criswell for the starting job a year ago, Drake Maye is firmly the UNC football program’s starter heading into this season.

This is no surprise, given the outstanding season Maye put together, but now the Tar Heels face a bigger question: who will be Maye’s backup?

Mack Brown has stated that Connor Harrell has solidified himself as the team’s backup quarterback, but unlike last season, North Carolina doesn’t have an experienced player behind Maye. There are a few options, but Harrell seems to be the one that will likely get the first crack at playing time if needed.

Running Back

Competitors:

Elijah Green
Omarion Hampton
British Brooks
Caleb Hood
George Pettaway

Green and Hampton were the Tar Heels’ top two rushers (not named Drake Maye) last season, but this is a position where anything can happen.

With the return of British Brooks from injury and a potentially healthy Caleb Hood, the Tar Heels have five running backs who could earn some playing time. Training camp will tell how the depth chart shakes up, but at this point, Green and Hampton may be the two featured backs heading into the start of the regular season.

Wide Receivers

Starters:

Devontez “Tez” Walker
Nate McCollum
Kobe Paysour

Backups:

J.J. Jones
Gavin Blackwell
Andre Greene Jr.

Transfers Devontez Walker and Nate McCollum are expected to play big roles among this group, as they’ll look to help replace the production lost when Josh Downs and Antoine Green departed for the NFL. Kobe Paysour, one of the team’s top returning players in terms of production, should also see an increased role this season.

Although he’s listed as a backup, J.J. Jones should also factor in among this group. Gavin Blackwell and Andre Greene Jr. could also make their case for playing time throughout training camp.

Tight Ends

Bryson Nesbit
John Copenhaver
Kamari Morales

The UNC football program has a very strong tight end group, as they have three players that will make an impact this upcoming season.

Copenhaver may top the list at this point, but Nesbit sits atop our depth chart for now given that he’s the program’s top returning receiving threat. Morales is a veteran tight end who can help in the passing game as well, as this group is one that most teams won’t be able to match.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle
William Barnes
Diego Pounds

Left Guard
Ed Montilus
Willie Lampkin

Center
Corey Gaynor
Willie Lampkin

Right Guard
Jonathan Adorno
Malik McGowan

Right Tackle
Spencer Rolland
Trevyon Green

One of the UNC football program’s biggest needs is to provide better protection for Maye to work with. Whether through the running game or passing game, this group needs to be at the top of its game for this program to reach its goals for this season.

William Barnes is projected to move from right guard to left tackle, a move that should benefit him given his size and range. He’ll be tasked with protecting Maye’s blindside.

A name to watch here is Willie Lampkin, a transfer from Coastal Carolina. With experience at guard and center, Lampkin could earn a starter’s role or serve as a reserve that can back up multiple positions.

At this point, you can make the case that this group features more dependable depth than it did a season ago.

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